Project: Designing a Korean Tourist Map with Historical Significance

This project involves the design of a Korean tourist map, drawing inspiration from historical maps and incorporating the five cardinal colors (obangsaek) of Korean culture: black, white, blue, yellow, and red. The project aims to utilize these colors, each with its own unique significance related to the elements of nature, directions, seasons, and philosophical concepts. The assignment explores the historical context of these colors, such as their use in clothing, rituals, and architectural elements. The final output will be a visually appealing and culturally informed map, designed to attract tourists and represent Korea's rich heritage. The project will also take inspiration from the 'Kangnido' map, reflecting on how to preserve historical elements in the design.

 The integrated lands, regions, ancient countries along with their capitals termed as The
Honil kangni yoktae kukto chi to, considered as Kangnido in the year 1402. This is
considered as the oldest map existing in the region of East Asian cartographic culture
simply predating the world map familiar for China and Japan. It came into the scenario
before the existence of Ricci world maps commonly found after the late fifteenth and at
the beginning of sixteenth centuries. Korea has not preserved the usage of Kangnido any
further. Japan dwells with three different versions of it. The oldest version among the
three is preserved by the Ryukoku University Library (located at Kyoto). This version
was created depended on internal evidence during the year 1470. The copies existing in
the University has a unique characteristic feature that is, it is preserved with excellent
condition with the unusual Kwon Kiln preface. The map is preserved with painted silk
with accordance of its color. The measurement of the cloth is 164 by 171 centimeters.
 I would like to apply the mentioned feature of preserving old maps in recent studies.
Hence, I preferably like to invent an original tourist map through incorporation of
traditional assets that has become an unusual use for the Korean tourist as my own
curated artifact.
 I liked the five traditional Korean colors for my design. According to the Korean culture,
the five cardinal colors are black, white, blue, yellow, and red. These five colors have
unique significance considering the element of the Universe including positions, time,
and color. The use of these five colors had given a term that is obangsaek (black, white,
blue, yellow, and red) symbolizing the five elements of nature including earth, water, air,
fire, and aether. They also symbolizes the five locations including – north, south, west,
east and the center. Not only the four positions (north, south, west, and east) but also they

incorporates with the essence of the four seasons namely spring, summer, autumn, and
winter. To discuss the significance of each color it can be said that red is the sign of
invention, love, and passion. Red is the color that has the power to erase the evil spirit.
For instance, the Koreans used to have red bean soup during the event of winter solstice.
On the other hand Black is a symbol of utter monotony standing for death, darkness, and
wisdom. Palaces are seemed to avoid the use of black color as it signifies death. On the
contrary, the juries used to wear black for honor and honesty. Blue is the color for birth,
clarity, and brightness. Hence, the maidens of the palaces are typically used to wear blue
clothes. The famous bird’s apparel and the thread adornment during the time of marriages
used the red and blue colors. As usual white is the color to signify truth, life and virginity.
Most of the Koreans have special attractions for the color white and termed them as
‘white-clad folk’. Lastly, yellow is the color to signify the brightness of Sunlight. Hence,
golden ropes are used to mark the protected places including the birthplace of a new born
baby.